111th Pennsylvania Infantry CIVIL WAR LETTER Written " In The Field Tennessee "
Item History & Price
Reference Number: Avaluer:105031 |
Edwin Martin Whipple was born on 9 December 1842 in Sardinia, Erie County, New York. He was the youngest son of Herman Whipple (1774-1842) and Phoebe Boa Lafferty (1816-1904).In the summer of 1861, Edwin enlisted in Co. A of the 23rd Illinois Infantry—the “Irish Brigade” led by Col. James A. Mulligan. He served with them on their expedition into Missouri and then was mustered out with the regiment in October 1861.Edwin then enlisted on 25 November 1861 at Erie..., Pennsylvania, to serve three years in Co. C, 111th Pennsylvania. He remained with the regiment until 25 November 1864 when he mustered out with his company. He stood six foot tall, had dark hair and blue eyes. He was a tailor by profession.After the war, he married Maria E. Oslerhack (1852-1878) and resided in South Haven, Kalamazoo, Michigan. In 1892 he relocated to Allegany county, New York, where he remarried to Thursa Jane Wickwire (1860-1899). He died in Bath, Steuben county, New York in December 1925 at the age of 83.Serving with Edwin in Co. C, 111th Pennsylvania Volunteers was his step-brother, Sgt. Benjamin Franklin Edy (1836-1917) who is mentioned frequently as “Ben” throughout Edwin’s letters. Ben’s father, William Edy (b. 1799) took Phebe B. Lafferty (widow of Herman Whipple) to be his second wife. At an advanced age, William enlisted in Co. 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry and served for several months during the winter of 1862-63 before he was discharged for disability.The letter was sent to his step-sister, Phebe B. Edy of Springfield X Roads, Erie County, Pennsylvania.
TRANSCRIPTIONIn the Field, Tennessee
November 17, 1863Well Mother, I will now try to pen a few lines to let you know that I am well and hope you are the same. There is no news to write about so I can’t write much. Mother, I want to enlist again in the cavalry. There is a company getting up here and I should like to go in it. They are in for the [duration of the] war and get 400 and 2 dollars bounty, 100 down and 60 days furlough. Now I should like to go but will do just as you say for I am not 21 yet. I got the money you set to me and was very glad to get it.The regiment was paid today but I didn’t get any for I overrun my clothing allowance by $65 on this year and that is over 4 months pay and we only got 2 today. Ben run $20 under on this year too as well as me. Ben is sitting here and is well. It is getting late so I will close for this time so goodnight.From Ed WhippleP. S. If it is possible, send some tobacco. — EdTERMS$3.00 postage in the United States. We accept Paypal. Postage combined for multiple purchases. Please wait for me to send the invoice, otherwise will pay a much higher postage rate!For International buyers: We are now using eBay's Global Shipping Program. We had too many packages sent via the post office go missing. So we believe this program will be safer for us - and for you.We're members of the American Philatelic Society, the U.S. Philatelic Classics Society, the Confederate Stamp Alliance and the Illinois Postal History Society.We only sell genuine, original letters (no copies or reproductions). Some of our letters have been transcribed and nicely presented for future genealogists and history buffs on the Spared & Shared blog. We've been selling on eBay since 2001. BID WITH CONFIDENCE.
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